Submerged periscope simulator

ABSTRACT

An improvement to a periscope view simulator training device for training periscope operators. Comprises means for simulating the changing view obtained through a periscope when the periscope head is ascending from the darker ocean depths through lighter greenish colored waters near the surface and on to the daylight brightness of an above the surface position. Also simulates the view obtained when the periscope head descends from an above the ocean surface position down through the near-surface waters to the depths.

United States Patent Driskell [54] SUBMERGED PERISCOPE SIMULATOR [72]Inventor: Carl R. Driskell, Winter Park, Fla.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by theSecretary of the Navy [22 Filed: May 28,1971 21 Appl.No.: 147,918

[52] U.S. Cl ..35/25 [51] Int. Cl. ..G09b 9/00 [58] Field of Search..35/10, 11, 12 N, 25

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,624,925 12/1971 Herndon..35/25 3,234,665 2/1966 Sear et a1 ..35/25 3,517,121 6/1970 Petrocelliet al ..35/25 X 1 51 Oct. 17, 1972 3,621,131 11/1971 Wolff ..35/11 XPrimary Examiner-Wm. H. Grieb Attorney-Richard S. Sciascia, John W.Pease and John F. Miller 5 7] ABSTRACT An improvement to a periscopeview simulator training device for training periscope operators.Comprises means for simulating the changing view obtained through aperiscope when the periscope head is ascending from the darker oceandepths through lighter greenish colored waters near the surface and onto the daylight brightness of an above the surface position. Alsosimulates the view obtained when the periscope head descends from anabove the ocean surface position down through the near-surface waters tothe depths.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEBucn 1 I972 3.698. 102

' sum 1 or 2 FIG.- I

.INVENTOR CARL R. DRI-SKELL BY W1 AGENT ATTORNEY 1 SUBMERGED PERISCOPESIMULATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION through experience in warfare thatskill and dexterity in lo the manipulation of a submarine periscope andin quick and accurate observation during the time that the periscope isexposed above the sea surface is most important to submarine operations.The survival of submarine and crew in a combat situation is in factdependent to a large degree on the skill of periscope operatingpersonnel. Therefore many efforts have been made to simulatesubmarine-periscope operations in order to train personnelwithoutincurring the hazards and expense of training at sea in actualsubmarines. The Wolff periscope view simulator, being all electronic,has proven to have many advantages over the optomechanical simulators ofthe prior art. However, the

Wolff and other such simulators lack means for simulating the changingview observable as a periscope ascends to the surface, or dives.Applicants invention overcomes this lack with simple and inexpensiveapparatus, thus adding greatly to the versatility and utility of thesimulator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A greenish translucent cube is illuminated by alamp having a variable voltage source to vary the illumination inverselywith periscope depth. A solenoid operated mirror projects an image ofthe lighted green cube into the eyepiece of the simulator periscope. Thefield of view at the eyepiece is completely filled by the view of thecube. When the periscope head breaks the surface the solenoid operatedmirror moves out of the optical path of the periscope and the usualsurface view simulation is observable at the eyepiece. When theperiscope goes beneath the surface a reverse procedure is initiated.Means are also provided to simulate the effect of waves washing over theperiscope head when it is above the surface but below wave heights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 illustrates the mechanicalprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a combined block diagram and circuit schematic showingelectronic components of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a periscope tube 1such as is found in periscope view simulators generally. The periscopehas control handles 12, an eyepiece 4,and a prism 5 which bends theperiscope optical path 90. The view 9 represents a typical ocean surfaceview observable through eyepiece 4 when the periscope head projectsabove the sea surface. In the Wolff simulators the view 9 is synthesizedelectronically. Moving ships, planes, etc., may be seen to maneuver inthe seascape shown in view 9.

The invention includes a variable light source such as a lamp 2, agreenish translucent or transparent cube 3,

a hinged mirror 6 and a solenoid 7 which moves mirror 6 into or out ofthe periscope optical path by means of rod 8 on command. Light 2 andmirror 6 are controlled by the electronic components shown in FIG. 2.

When the viewing head (not shown) of periscope l is at a simulated depthso great that little light penetrates the ocean depths, mirror 6 is inthe position shown in FIG. 1 and lamp 2 is extinguished. The view ateyepiece 4 is accordingly dark. As the periscope head ascends towardsthe surface the increasing light observable through a real periscopeapproaching the surface is simulated by gradually brightening lamp 2.This illuminates cube 3 which is observable at eyepiece 4 because of theposition of mirror 6. Therefore the view at 4 gradually lightens,turning from dark to increasingly light greenish as the periscope depthdecreases. Lamp 2 reaches maximum brightness just before the periscopesurfaces. When the periscope head breaks the surface, solenoid 7 isactivate-d to swing mirror 6 out of the optical path between eyepiece 4.and the scene on display 9 which represents an ocean view as seen from asurfaced periscope.

The effect of waves washing over the head of a surfaced periscope issimulated by supplying solenoid 7 with a continuously varying voltagewhich causes mir ror 6 to swing into and out of the optical path. Lamp 2is at maximum brilliance condition so that as mirror 6 continuouslyswings into and out of the optical path a view of scene 9 at eyepiece 4is periodically obscured by the greenish colored view of cube 3, asthough the observer were looking through a wave washing over theperiscope head.

The control system for this invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. Here isshown the lamp 2, the mirror 6, the solenoid 7 and mechanical linkage 8discussed in the explanation of FIG. 1.

A periscope height control R5 is shown in FIG. 2 for the purpose ofillustration as a potentiometer supplied by a positive voltage source VAs periscope height control R5 is adjusted, a proportional outputvoltage V, from R5 is supplied to a comparator 13 and to lamp 2. Theintensity of lamp 2 is proportional to the applied voltage V,. A surfaceheight control potentiometer R3 supplied by a voltage V, may be adjustedto a surface height level to develop a proportional output voltage V,which is supplied through a switch S1 to a second input of comparator13.

The voltages V, and V, are compared in comparator 13. V, will have avalue determined by the surface height selected and V, will have somevalue at or above a zero reference level at which no light reaches theperiscope. If V, is greater than V,, comparator 13 will develop a lowoutput voltage V, which holds a transistor 01 in a cutoff mode. Thecollector of transistor O1 is supplied by voltage V, through solenoid 7.When O1 is cut off, no current is permitted to flow through solenoid 7.Thus, mirror 6 is allowed to swing into the periscope optical path asdescribed in the explanation of FIG. 1.

When the periscope height control R5 is such that the periscope is at orbelow the level at which no light reaches the periscope head window, themagnitude of V, passed to control the intensity of lamp 2 is such thatcube 3 of FIG. 1 is not illuminated. As the periscope height isincreased, V, will increase to gradually brighten the illumination ofcube 3. As the periscope height control is adjusted upwards gradually tosimulate an up periscope operation, V progressively brightens lamp 2 andcube 3 until, when V equals V,, comparator 13 reverses its outputvoltage to furnish positive base drive to transistor Q1. This switchestransistor O1 to an on mode such that collector current is drawn throughsolenoid 7 which becomes energized to pull mirror 6 out of the periscopeoptical path. In this state, the normal surface scene of targets againsta seascape background is presented to the periscope eyepiece.

Simulation of waves splashing over the periscope head window can beaccomplished with a low frequency oscillator 10, an amplifier l1 and asea state control R1 as shown in FIG. 2. Low frequency oscillator 10generates a voltage waveform whose amplitude is indicative of theinstantaneous height of the ocean waves. This low frequency waveform isfed through amplifier 11 to sea state control potentiometer R1. Theamplitude of the waveform is adjusted by R1 in accordance with thedesired sea state, the greater the amplitude, the greater or rougher thesea state. The voltage waveform is then fed from the wiper arm of R1through capacitor C2 to the wiper arm of a voltage divider formed bypotentiometer R3 and resistors R2 and R4. Resistors R2 and R4 areprovided to prevent shorting of the low frequency waveform in the eventthat R3 is adjusted to either of its extremes.

When the periscope head window is near the surface in rough seas, thelow frequency variation of the voltage coupled by capacitor C2 to thewiper arm of R3 will cause comparator 13 to change states which willresult in a rhythmic switching of the mirror into and out of the opticalpath.

A random and perhaps more realistic variation in wave height voltagecould be furnished with surface height information from a computergenerated input through a switch S1 to comparator 13. The periscopeheight control voltage V, could also be computer generated and fedthrough switch S2 to comparator 13 and lamp 2.

The invention is simple and inexpensive, and can be fitted with relativeease to both existing and developmental periscope view simulators. Itgreatly enhances the effectiveness of any simulator by enabling traineesto practice a most essential operation, that is, raising the periscope,rapidly scanning the surface, and quickly lowering the periscope toavoid detection by enemy forces. This maneuver could be performed withprior art simulators but not with the realism necessary for trulyeffective training afforded by the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a periscope view simulator having a periscope, means forsimulating a surface view of the sea through said periscope andperiscope height control means, the improvement comprising:

means for generating a variable brightness depth view through saidperiscope,

means for varying said depth view connected to said periscope heightcontrol means,

means for substituting said variable depth view for said surface view,

wave action simulating means for simulating the effect of waves washingover said periscope when surfaced, said means for substituting saidvariable depth view for said surface view comprising a movable mirror,

solenoid means connected to said mirror for moving said mirror to afirst position and to a second position on command,

said means for varying said depth view being connected to said periscopeheight control means to increase the brightness of said varying depthview as said periscope height is increased,

said mirror substituting said variable depth view for said surface viewwhen in a first position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said means for generating a variablebrightness depth view including a greenish transparent cube, a variablebrightness lamp positioned to illuminate said cube, said mirror beingarranged to bend the optical path of said periscope to view said cubewhen in said first position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, said periscope height control comprising afirst potentiometer, means connecting the output voltage of said firstpotentiometer to said variable lamp to increase the brightness of saidlamp as said periscope height is increased,

a surface height control comprising a second potentiometer,

a comparator,

first switch means connecting the output voltage of said firstpotentiometer to a first input of said potentiometer,

second switch means connecting the output voltage of said secondpotentiometer to a second input of said comparator,

a transistor connected to control said solenoid means,

the output voltage of said comparator being connected to control saidtransistor,

said comparator developing an output voltage when said firstpotentiometer output voltage is greater than said second potentiometeroutput voltage. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, said means for simulatingwave action including a low frequency oscillator,

a sea state control comprising a third potentiometer, a capacitorconnecting the output voltage of said third potentiometer to said secondswitch, and

means connecting the output voltage of said oscillator to supply saidthird potentiometer, whereby the varying output voltage is adjusted insaid third potentiometer and supplied to said second input of saidcomparator to provide an adjustable varying voltage for generating saidwave action.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, said first and second switches having afirst and a second position,

said switches when in said second position connecting computer means tosaid first and second inputs of said comparator whereby control of waveaction and depth view simulation may be effected by said computer means.

1. In a periscope view simulator having a periscope, means forsimulating a surface view of the sea through said periscope andperiscope height control means, the improvement comprising: means forgenerating a variable brightness depth view through said periscope,means for varying said depth view connected to said periscope heightcontrol means, means for substituting said variable depth view for saidsurface view, wave action simulating means for simulating the effect ofwaves washing over said periscope when surfaced, said means forsubstituting said variable depth view for said surface view comprising amovable mirror, solenoid means connected to said mirror for moving saidmirror to a first position and to a second position on command, saidmeans for varying said depth view being connected to said periscopeheight control means to increase the brightness of said varying depthview as said periscope height is increased, said mirror substitutingsaid variable depth view for said surface view when in a first position.2. The apparatus of claim 1, said means for generating a variablebrightness depth view including a greenish transparent cube, a variablebrightness lamp positioned to illuminate said cube, said mirror beingarranged to bend the optical path of said periscope to view said cubewhen in said first position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, said periscopeheight control comprising a first potentiometer, means connecting theoutput voltage of said first potentiometer to said variable lamp toincrease the brightness of said lamp as said periscope height isincreased, a surface heiGht control comprising a second potentiometer, acomparator, first switch means connecting the output voltage of saidfirst potentiometer to a first input of said potentiometer, secondswitch means connecting the output voltage of said second potentiometerto a second input of said comparator, a transistor connected to controlsaid solenoid means, the output voltage of said comparator beingconnected to control said transistor, said comparator developing anoutput voltage when said first potentiometer output voltage is greaterthan said second potentiometer output voltage.
 4. The apparatus of claim3, said means for simulating wave action including a low frequencyoscillator, a sea state control comprising a third potentiometer, acapacitor connecting the output voltage of said third potentiometer tosaid second switch, and means connecting the output voltage of saidoscillator to supply said third potentiometer, whereby the varyingoutput voltage is adjusted in said third potentiometer and supplied tosaid second input of said comparator to provide an adjustable varyingvoltage for generating said wave action.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4,said first and second switches having a first and a second position,said switches when in said second position connecting computer means tosaid first and second inputs of said comparator whereby control of waveaction and depth view simulation may be effected by said computer means.